Will the summer ever return? Met Office warns of another nine days of rain with no sign of a heatwave – but forecasters say warmer weather could make a comeback later in August

Britain is set to endure a miserable start to August with Londoners hammered by nine straight days of rain, forecasters have warned – but there is hope for a dry and sunny bank holiday weekend at the end of the month.

The Met Office said Britain would be struck by ‘heavy’ and ‘thundery’ showers which will continue into Monday.

Yesterday saw a mix of sunny spells and showers, turning heavy and frequent at times with thunder across Northern Ireland and western Scotland.

And today will see ‘unsettled’ weather with rain spreading across the southwest and northeastwards across Britain in the afternoon and evening, sparking fears of a 50 to 70 per cent chance of rain putting a stop to the fifth Test of the Ashes. 

Meanwhile, London will face ten days of rain and showers between today and Monday August 7, according to the forecaster.

Britain is set to endure a miserable start to August with nine straight days of rain. Pictured: A stormy sky over Sandown Bay on the Isle of Wight

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Gloomy skies and miserable conditions at Tynemouth Longsands Beach in North Tyneside at the end of this week 

There were not many people out on the beach in South Shields at the end of this week due to the gloomy weather

The rain will continue into August, bringing a ‘wet start’ for many, lingering around northern England and parts of Scotland.

Through to Tuesday, showers are expected to develop across the UK with a risk of ‘heavy’ rain and thunder.

Meanwhile, Wednesday will be a story of ‘sunshine’ and ‘showers’, with outbreaks of rain across southwest England and showers in London.

Thursday and Friday will see potential ‘strong winds’, ‘heavy rains’ and showers across Britain.

The weekend of August 5 will see more ‘unsettled’ weather with ‘likely’ showers and longer spells of rain.

But there is a chance of a short lived period of drier, warmer and sunnier weather at the end of August – just in time for the bank holiday weekend. And the temperature in the middle of the month is expected to reach up to 30C.

The forecaster said: ‘During the latter half of August, changeable weather is expected across the UK, unsettled at times and bringing a mixture of rain and showers to many areas. 

‘Some shorter-lived periods of drier, more settled weather are likely, particularly towards the end of the month, but any prolonged dry and hot spells are unlikely.’ 

Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge said: ‘The forecast for the next couple of weeks is unsettled but that shouldn’t give an impression of continuous or heavy rain.

‘There is rain in the forecast for London for the next few days, but a lot of this rain will be showers, between which clearer spells will prevail.’ 

Rain once again threatens the fifth Test of the Ashes played at the Oval today

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Paddleboarders and kayakers on the River Tyne, Hexham, Northumberland, on Friday

The rain will continue into August, bringing a ‘wet start’ for many, lingering around northern England and parts of Scotland

Through to Tuesday, showers are expected to develop across the UK with a risk of ‘heavy’ rain and thunder